Self-contained dark room



Oct. 27, 1959 Filed Dec. 16, 1957 E. L. CORRONS SELF-CONTAINED DARK ROOM6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. E. L. CORRONS ATTORNEY Oct. 27, 1959 E.CORRONS SELF-CONTAINED DARK ROOM 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 16, 1957ATTO RNEY Oct. 27, 1959 E. L. CORRONS 2,909,979

SELF-CONTAINED DARK ROOM Filed Dec. 16, 1957 e Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 3

INVENTOR. E. L,CORR ONS ATTORNEY Oct. 27, 1959 E. L. coRRoNs 2,909,979

SELF-CONTAINED DARK ROOM Filed Dec. 16, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG- 8mmvrox. F|G 9 E.L.CORRONS ATTORNEY Oct. 27, 1959 E. L. CORRONSSELF-CONTAINED DARK ROOM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 16, 1957 INVENTOR.E .L. CORRONS ATTO RNEY Oct. 27, 1959 E. L. CORRONS SELF-CONTAINED DARKROOM 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 16, 1957 FIG.

FIG. I5

FIG. l4

INVENTOR. E L. CORRONS FIG. \6

BY %4A. w/W

ATTORNEY United States Patent 2,909,979 SELF-CONTAINED DARK ROOM EdwardL. Corrons, Wichita, Kans. Application December 16, 1957, Serial No.702,973

4 Claims. (Cl. 95-91) This invention relates to photography. In a morespecific aspect this invention relates to means to be used inphotography. In still a more specific aspect this invention relates to aportable, self-contained dark room which is employed to developphotocomposition film or photographic paper. In yet a more specificaspect this invention relates to a portable, self-contained dark roomdesigned for use with a photographic line composing machine in theprinting arts, such dark room being employed to develop and fix the filmfrom such a line composing machine to produce a negative or to developand fix photographic paper.

Printing is one of our older arts. Many different processes are employedin producing printed publications. One of the most recent developedmethods uses a composing machine to produce letters and figures byphotographic methods, the negative film resulting being used in methodsquite similar to lithography to produce the printed publication byso-called offset methods and means. Several machines are currently beingused and are on the market, for example, the Fotosetter, a product ofIntertype Corportion, Brooklyn, New York, and Linofilm, a product of theLinotyp Company, Brooklyn, New York. Both of these line composingmachines are fairly Widely used in the printing industry today both bythe job printer and by the publication printer, such as newspapers andmagazines. These machines produce a strip of exposed filmphotographically sensitized with the desired letter or figure thereon.It is these machines and the film produced thereby with which myinvention is particularly concerned. No means is known in the prior artto satisfactorily and conveniently process this exposed film to producethenegative from which the further printing steps are accomplished inthe usual lithographic procedure. The usual and typical dark room is andmust necessarily be remotely located from a great deal of thephotographic line composing machines in the usual and typical printingshop, newspaper publication building, or magazine publicationestablishment. It is the practice in the industry to replace the olderlinotype machines with the new photographic line composing machines insubstantially the same building location. The line composing machineoperator has no ready and simple way of checking the exposed film he isproducing, and a great deal of time is lost in going to or havingsomeone take to the usual dark room the exposed film to process same.With the new portable, self-contained dark room of my invention anoperator or several operators can have a satisfactory dark room at thesite of the photographic line composing machines, where such operatorscan conveniently develop the film in a minimum of time to check theircomposition and quality, as well as producing the negative for thefurther lithographic steps of printing wherein the film is used. The newself-contained and portable dark room of my invention is indeed a stepforward in the printing art.

The new portable dark room of my invention for processingphotocomposition film and photographic paper has a housing with an inletfor unprocessed film or paper and an outlet for the processed film orpaper which I refer to as the negative. The housing has viewing meanswhich are employed by the operator to watch the developing process whileit is occurring within the dark room. Arm holes are provided in thehousing so that the operator can work therein. Within the housing aremeans to hold the various processing fluids used in processing theexposed filmor paper, and these means are constructed to receive thefilm or paper during the processing operation. In operation the new darkroom of my invention receives the unprocessed film or paper, processessame as a result of the efforts of the operator, and provides forpassing out of the housing processed film or paper, referred to as thenegative, so that the operator can use it or have it used to produce themeans necessary to complete the lithographic printing process.

It is an object of my invention to provide new photographic processingmeans.

It is another object of my invention to provide new photographicprocessing means to be used in conjunction with photographic linecomposing machines in the printing arts. 9

Still another object of my invention is to provide new portable,self-contained dark room means.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide new dark room meanswhich can be conveniently located at the site of photographic linecomposing machines, so that the exposed film therefrom can be processedto form the printing negative.

Still another object of my invention is to provide new simple and easilyportable dark room means which is convenient to use, and which allowsthe photographic line composing operator to check his work and toproduce the printing negative at the site of the machine after the filmhas been exposed.

Other objects and advantages of the new portable dark room means of myinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading thisdisclosure.

Drawings accompany and are a part of this disclosure. These drawingsdepict preferred specific embodiments of the new portable dark room ofmy invention for processing photocomposition film and photographicpaper, and it is to be understood that such drawings are not to undulylimit the scope of my invention. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred specific embodiment of thenew portable and self-contained dark room of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of same with the top of the housing removedand showing the means within the housing of the dark room.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation view of same with the front panel of thehousing removed.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view enlarged of a preferred specific embodimentof motor, eccentric and agitator blades preferably used in the dark roomof Figs. 1 through 3.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a preferred specific embodiment of theviewer or eye piece in the top panel of the housing of the dark room.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional end view of the eye piece or viewer of Fig.5 showing particularly the slidable mounting means therefor.

Fig. 7 is a view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is an end elevation view of the dark room with able arm holes inthe front panel of the housing of the dark room.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the preferred specificembodiment of powered roller operated means to pass film through thehousing and out the outlet thereof.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view through a preferredspecific embodiment of inlet means for the film cartridge into thehousing of the dark room. Fig. 13 is an enlarged cross sectional viewhorizontally through a portion of the front panel of the housing showingpreferred specific means for the slidable arm hole provision thereof.

Fig. 14 is a vertical cross sectional view through the front panel ofthe housing.

Fig. 15 is an inside elevation view partly cut away of the front panelmember of the housing. V Fig. 16 is an enlarged cross sectional Viewthrough a film being processed showing preferred specific separationmeans between the containers for processing fluids within said housingand air conduit means preferably located relative to said film andseparation means.

Following is a discussion and description of the new dark room means ofmy invention for processing photocomposition film and photographic papermade with reference to the drawings whereon the same reference numeralsare usedto indicate the same or similar parts or structure. Thediscussion and description is made with reference to preferred specificembodiments of the means of my invention, and it is to be understoodthat such is not to unduly limit the scope of my invention.

In the preferred specific embodiment of the portable self-contained darkroom of my invention as shown in the drawings, there is a horizontallydisposed elongated housing or box-like body having a top panel member18, end panel members 20 and 22, back panel member 24, bottom 26, and afront panel member 28. These housing or body panel members canconveniently be made of wood, or other suitable material such as plasticor metal. They can be suitably joined together, it being desirable thattop panel 18 be hingedly mounted on the top edge of side panel 20 byhinge means 30. The housing or body is preferably mounted on bracket andwheel assemblies 32 which are suitably secured in bottom 26. This makesthe housing or body more portable and easier to move aroundin use. Thehousing or body ispreferably constructed light-tight to provide the darkroom chamber wherein the photocomposition film or photographic paper isprocessed to produce the negative.

* End panel member 22 has a revolving, preferably lighttight door 34mounted therein, through which cartridges containing exposed film orpaper are passed to an unloading tray or shelf 36 in the chamber of thehousing or body. This shelf 36 conveniently mounts a timer 38 which isused in the developing and other processing operations, and I have foundit preferred that the timer be operated to ring a bell 40 outside thehousing or body, so that an operator can be put on notice that a setperiod of time has passed in any of the processing operations for thephotocomposition film or photographic paper. The door structure 34 has apair of revolving door members 42 set at approximate right angles and sothat the door is always closed to the entrance of light into thecabinet. An overhang 44- on the outside of the revolving door 34 andfixed to the top frame thereof is preferably employed. The cartridgehaving the film or paper strip therein for processing is passed inthrough door 34 and up through overhang 44. It is preferred that shelf36 have an upwardly projecting end 46. This easily catches the filmcartridge when it is introduced into the housing. A spring loadedcartridge holding assembly is preferably mounted on the outside of edge46. This preferably consists of fixed end holder 48 and spring loadedslidably mounted end'holder 50. These are moved apart to receive thefilm cartridge, and

4 upon retraction by spring 52 the bosses on members 48 and 50 hold thecartridge.

This revolving door receiving and holding assembly for introducing filmcartridges into the chamber of the body or the housing has provensatisfactory, and it is preferred as a convenience to provide anoperating knob 54 with which to revolve the door members 42 of revolvingdoor 34. The latch means 56 for top panel 18 is most preferably locatedat this inlet end of the housing or body, this being truefrom anoperational standpoint.

In most instances it is desirable that a film or paper cutter 58 bemounted near the inlet into the housing so that the film or paper can becut in the desired length of strip desired for processing. The cutter ispreferably of the elongated blade type with the blade 60 pivoted atpoint 62 and pivoted thereabout by handle 64. This cutter assembly canbe suitably mounted in the body or housing, or if desired the operatorcan keep a pair of shears in the chamber on shelf 36 with which to cutthe film or the paper into the desired strip length.

Viewing means 66 is preferably slidably mounted in top panel- 18. Theeye piece 68 of the viewing means 66 is suitably rigidly mounted in asliding panel 70. This panel 70 is mounted for horizontal sliding ingrooves or tracks formed by top panel 18 and members 72 fixed to theunderneath side of top 18. This track mounting structure has provensatisfactory, movement being relatively easy and with the eye piece 68remaining in desired position upon movement of same. The eye piece 68 ispreferably of the well known self-acting kind upon exertion of pressurethrough the head of the operator with the eyes of the operator in placeon the eye piece. When pressure is exerted, operating post 74 and theusual connecting operating assembly 75 (Fig. 7) operates shutters 76 toopen same, allowing the operator of the dark room equipment to seethrough lenses 78 into the chamber of thehousing or body. Viewing means66 and sliding panel 70 thereof is sized and constructed so that thedark room operator can conveniently move the eye piece 68 to the area orvicinity of the housing or body whereas the processing operation to beviewed is taking place.

In operation it is desired that the portable dark room of my inventionhave an interior chamber within the housing or body which is controlledas to temperature and humidity. This is conveniently accomplished byutilizinga typical and common window-type conditioner 80 mounted in therear panel member 22 of the housing or body. Air from within the housingor body is withdrawn through louvered conduits 82; heat and moisture isremoved from the air in conditioning means 80; and the cooled air isreintroduced into the housing or body through louvered conduits 84. Thetemperature within the housing can be used to control the airconditioner 80 automatically, so as to maintain a constant temperaturewithin the body or housing. If desired, the housing or body can beinsulated, and the air conditioning means has been found satisfactory toremove the heat of reaction given off in the processing operations ofhandling thephoto-composition film or photographic paper. In my desiredspecific embodiment, the chemical liquids used in processing operationsare stored prior to use within tanks in the housing, so that theseliquids will be at a relatively low temperature prior to theirintroduction into the processing means.

A front panel member 28 of the portable dark room of my invention is ofparticularly valuable and unique construction. It is built witharecessed lower and central portion to provide foot space for theoperator who stands at the front of the dark room facing same. Frontpanel 28 above this recess has an elongated horizontal opening therein,preferably rectangular in shape. A rigid insert panel 92 is mountedinside the housing on the back of front panel 28, being held thereon bytrack providing members 94 secured to front panel 28 in any suitablemanner. Stop means 96 mounted on front panel 28 in any suitable manneron the inside thereof properly positions insert panel 92 in verticalposition. Panel member 92 preferably has felt or the like 98 along theedge thereof to make a light-tight fit between panels 92 and 28.Likewise, bracket or track members 94 preferably have this felt 98thereon to provide a light-tight fit.

A pair of slotted, cylindrical receiving members are oppositely mountedin mirror image relation and rigidly to panel insert 92, at the endsthereof. These are indicated as numeral 100 on the drawings. Through theslots 102 therein they receive the outer ends of flexible slidable panelmembers 104, and these flexible panel members are preferably made ofrelatively thin metal or stiff plastic material whichwill roll up in themanner of a tape measure, and the like. In use members 104 roll upwithin the fixed receiving cylinders 100. The other ends or inner endsof flexible sliding panels 104 are mounted in receiving cylinders 107through slots 109 therein. These cylinders 107 are suitably attachedtogether to move together by such as welding. The inner ends of flexibleslidingpanels 104 roll up within cylinders 107 in the same manner as theouter ends of panels 104 in receiving cylinders 100. Receiving cylinders107 move together and relative to insert panel 92 and the opening infront panel 28 of the housing. Track members 111 are suitably fixed toinsert panel 92 above and below cylinders 107, and the cylinders arehung therefrom in slidable relation to track members 111 by hangermembers 113 suitably fixed to the upper and lower ends of cylinders 107.These cylinders 107 are preferably track mounted to freely slide backand forth substantially the full length of the opening in front panel28. Each of the flexible sliding panel members 104 has a preferablylighttight arm hole therein to receive the arms of the operator of theportable dark room. These arm holes are indicated by numeral 115. In thepreferred specific embodiment shown in the drawings, a soft and pliablesponge rubber core 117 having a slit 119 therein is mounted to coverhole 121 in flexible sliding panels 104, such mounting preferably beingon the inside thereof. A soft elastic and. gathered nylon sleeve member123 is mounted over and around core 117, such rather tightly graspingthe wrist and/or arm of the dark room operator after it has beeninserted through the slit 119 in the core member. If desired, the slit119 can be lined with a slick nylon or silk fabric to make insertion ofthe hand and arm easier. In operation the dark room operator inserts hisarms through these openings 115 so that he can perform operations withinthe chamber inside the housing or body of the dark room. Either armcanbe moved independent of the otherarm due to the sliding features ofpanels 104, and both arms can be moved in unison in either direction asa result of the unique mounting of center receiving members 107 inslidable relation to inse panel 92. e

To protect and provide for a perfect light-tight charnber, and toprovide for information mounting space as to operation of the dark room,a small sliding panel 125 is slidably mounted in framing track 127 whichis suitably attached to insert panel 92, preferably in an easilyremovable manner. This is desirable so that insert panel 92 canconveniently be removed as a unit from inside the housing or body withtop panel 18 open. I have found it highly desirable to make the portabledark room of my invention in this manner to facilitate replacement ofparts and repair, should such be necessary.

Preferably spring steel strip or tape 130 is mounted on receivingcylinders 100 and 107 to force the flexible sliding panels 104 intolight-tight contact with insert panel 92. The inner ends of springholding member 130 are secured to cylinders 107, and eyes 132 oncylinders 107, and 134 on cylinders 100 receive the spring loaded tapeto position and guide same in use. In use as cylinders 107 are movedback and forth the inner portions of spring tape move relative to theseeye guiding members. In this manner and by these means flexible slidingpanels 104 are always maintained tight up against insert panel 92.

A plurality of processing trays or containers are suitably mounted andsupported within the housing or body of the portable dark room. Thesemost desirably are a developing tray 137, a short stopping tray 139, anda fixing tray 141. Down stream of these processing trays is preferably awash tank for water 143 which'holds water during processing'operationand washes the film or paper prior to its exit from the portable darkroom. The trays have outlets for draining same, with these outletsconnected to sewer line 145, which passes out through the rear of thehousing or body. Valves 147, 149 and 151 control the drain lines fromtrays 141, 139 and 137, respectively, the valve operators therefor beingmounted in the front panel 28 of the housing. Water' Wash tank 143 has adrain line 153 therefor connected to the intake of a pump 155 preferablypowered by an electric motor 157. The discharge of pump 157 is a line159 passing out of the rear of the cabinet or housing and connected tothe sewer line. Drain line. 153 from wash tank 143 has a valve 162therein which is controlled by an operator mounted through front panel28. On the drawings the operator is given the same numeral designationas the valve. A water inlet line 165 passes in through the back panel 24of the housing, such passing water to wash tank 143 for washing thephotocomposition film or photographic paper negative after same has beenfixed in the processing operation.

A storage tank 168 for developer, a tank 170 for shortstop, and a tank172 for fixing chemical are suitably and conveniently mounted on therear panel 24 of the housing or body. Preferably these tanks have lidshingedly mounted thereon. They normally carry a supply of the chemicalliquids used in the developing, etc., processes, and are preferablystored in the housing prior to use to be at the proper temperature foruse. Lines 174, 176 and 178 with hand operated valves therein arepreferably provided to convey developer, shortstop and fix,respectively, from storage tanks or containers 168, 170 and 172,respectively, to trays 137, 139 and 141, respectively. Also, on thisback panel 24 of the housing or body is preferably mounted a filteredlight means 180, preferably constructed to provide any type of safelight desired in using the portable dark room. Interchangeable filtersare desirably employed. 7 In operating the new portable, self-containeddark room of my invention to process photocomposition film orphotographic paper, it is desirable that the developer chemical in tankor tray 137, the shortstop chemical in 139 and the fixed chemical in 141be agitated or in motion, it being possible, of course, to stop suchagitation when desired. For this I preferably provide agitation orstirring means 185. Such is bent shown in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings.A mounting bar 187 is suitably mounted within the body'or housing of thedark room to reciprocate therein in operation. Suitably mounted collars189 receive bar or pipe 187 therethrough. The motor 191 mounted andconnected to operate pitman 193 is itself suitably mounted and supportedin the housing or the body of the dark room. The outer end of pitman193is pivotally connected to the end of reciprocating bar or pipe 187, sothat upon operation of motor 191, 187 moves back and forth. Stirrer armmembers 195 are pivotally connected to brackets 197 which are in turnfixed to operator 187 to move therewith in operation. These aredesirably pivotally connected as shown in Fig. 4, so that they can beswung up and back out of the way, as shown in Fig. 4 (dotted lines). Anadjustable stirrer 201 is pivotally mounted in the same manner onoperator 187, this stirrer 201 being designed for the deep water washtank 143. Stirrers 195 and 201 also serve to hold the film strip 260immersed in processing trays 137, 139 and 141 and wash tank 143 duringoperation by holding down the film passed under the stirrers. Switchmeans (not shown) can be conveniently mounted within or without the darkroom to control motor 191 and the operation of the stirrers.

At the outlet of the housing or body of the dark room and within same ispreferably mounted the roller type automatic feed assembly for the darkroom best shown in Fig. 11. It has a plurality of upper rollers 200,which are swaging rollers mounted between plates 204 and 206 which arein turn suitably attached to the end panel 20 of the dark room. Lowerrollers 208 mounted between plates, 204 and 206 are powered rollersbeing turned by motor 210 through belt 212 and pulleys 214 mounted onthe axles of the rollers 208. It has been found desirable that motor 210be controlled so that it can be turned on and off from without the darkroom. Switch or control means 215 is suitably mounted within the housingor body, such switch 215 being lever operated by operator 217 projectingthrough front panel 28 of the housing in recess 90 thereof. Operator 217is preferably designed as shown in the drawings so that the operator ofthe dark room can operate same with his knee while standing up to thedark room. In the usual functioning of the apparatus, the arms of theoperator will be within the housing or body projecting thereinto througharm holes 115 in sliding and flexible panels 104. Rollers 200 and 208are preferably made of a relatively soft, rubber-like material, whichwill grasp the film strip sufficiently to pass same between the rollersand out outlet chute 220 mounted in the end panel 20 of the housing.Also, these rollers preferably function to squeeze the film free of anywater adhered thereto as a result of passing the film through the waterin wash tank 143 during processing operation. In processing operationthe operator while viewing the inside of the chamber through viewer 66moves the film strip being processed a sufficient amount for it to beproperly positioned in the various developing trays or tanks. Prior toautomatic operation, the film strip is moved by hand by the operatorthrough the developing tanks or trays and under the stirrers oragitators 195 and 201 until thefirst portion of the film is ready forinsertion between rollers 200 and 208 after leaving wash tank 143.Between tanks or trays 137 and 139, 139 and 141, and 141 and 143, Iprefer to mount on the dividers thereof a rubber-like cap 225. Thesecaps 225 carry the film or paper strip during process operation andserve to raise or elevate the film or paper strip between the trays ortanks. As a result, I have found that the processing chemical or wateron the film or paper strip will then run off to fall back into theparticular tray or tank from which the film has come. However, toprevent any carryover, I preferably provide an air supply through headerconduit 227 having air delivery conduit extensions 229 positioned justto the side of rubber dividers 225 between the trays or tanks. 'Aplurality of these air delivery conduits 231 are mounted in spacedrelation above the rollers 200. These air delivery conduits 229 and 231have slots 223 in their underneath side through which the air escapes.The air is directed at the top surface of the film strip just ahead ofthe dividers 225 and the final upper rollers 200, so that any liquid onthe film will be forced back into the tank from which the film came.

As a precautionary measure, I have found it desirable to provide asliding panel 240 within the housing of the portable dark room, suchpanel 240 being slidable, mounted in channel track members 242 attachedto end panel members 20 and 22 in vertical position. Lever assembly 244having foot pedal 246 thereon outside of front panel 28 in the recess 90thereof operates sliding panel 240. This panel is moved into elevatedposition when the operator desires to withdraw his arms from arm holeopenings 115. Thus, the chamber is protected from damaging lightentering into the area or vicinity of the processing trays or tankswherein film or photographic paper may be in an important processingstage.

If desired, drying means 250 can be mounted on the outlet end panel20'of the portable dark room. This drying means is shown schematicallyin the drawings. It can'consist of common electrical or steam heateddrying equipment for processed photographic film or paper. If dryingmeans 250 is used, an outlet 252 therefrom is preferable, the finishedand dried film discharging onto shelf 254 for further use in theprinting process.

In operation of the new portable dark room of my invention, thephotocomposition film or photographic paper from the photographic linecomposing machine is introduced into the housing or body of the darkroom through door means 34 in its usual and common cartridge. Theoperator of the dark room with his arms therein through arm holes opensthe cartridge and removes the film, or starts the removal of the film.The cutter 60 can be utilized to cut the film strip to'desired length,if necessary or preferable. In the usual photographic processes, thestrip of film to be processed-is passed through tanks or trays 137, 139,141, and 143, remaining therein the desired or necessary time for theoperations of developing, shortstopping, fixing, and washing,respectively, to take place. When necessary, fresh processing chemicalsare introduced into the processing trays or tanks, after the usedchemicals have been discharged to the sewer, through line 145. In theoperation the film 260 (Fig. 16) passes from under stirrer 195 and outof the processing tray over the divider 225 in elevated position withair from line 229 blowing thereon to remove the processing liquid fromthe film prior to its introduction into the next developing tank ortray. With safe light on, the operator through viewing means 66 canwitness and regulate the processing steps within the chamber of thehousing or the body of the portable dark room. Of course, the apparatusof my invention can be used to develop any exposed photographic film orpaper, of any length or size which will fit the particular size of tray,etc., of the particular machines built to my invention. I have foundthat in operation one can easily position the film strip 260 beingprocessed, and adjust it in passage through the processing trays or tankso that the film remains a sufficient time in the wash tank 143 tocompletely wash same of the processing chemicals. In doing this, I havefound it desirable that the film itself pass underneath stirrer arm 201and up and out of tank 143 to be engaged by rollers 200 and 208. Asuitably mounted chute 265 under the roller assembly carries wash waterback into tank 143.

As will be evident to those skilled in the art, various modifications ofthis invention can be made, or followed, in the light of this disclosureand discussion without departing from the spirit or scope of thedisclosure or from the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A portable, self-contained darkroom for a strip of photocompositionfilm and photographic paper, comprising: an elongated, horizontallydisposed housing providing a light-tight chamber, said housing havingrevolving, light-tight door means constructed in one end operable toupon operation pass a cartridge having a strip of said film orphotographic paper therein into said chamber While maintaining samelight-tight, a hingedly mounted top with a horizontally slidable vieweropertably mounted therein, outlet means constructed in the other end ofsaid housing operable to pass therethrough said film or photographicpaper in processed condition, and a front with a lower recess centrallylocated to provide foot space for an operator, an elongated, horizontalopening above said recess, and a rigid panel removably mounted in saidhousing on the upper portion of said front, said 9 panel having a pairof horizontally slidable and flexible sections covering said opening insaid front, and a selfsealing arm hole in each of said sections; airconditioning means mounted in the back of said housing operatable to aircondition said chamber and remove heat therefrom; and mounted insidesaid housing a plurality of trays placed end to end, said trays adaptedto hold photographic processing chemicals, a wash tank for developed andfixed film or photographic paper, said trays having dividing meanstherebetween constructed to support a strip of film or photographicpaper during processing in elevated position between said trays, poweredroller means constructed and operatable to receive and pass said stripof film or paper through said trays and tank and out said outlet meansin said housing, air conduit means having discharge means at the outletsof said trays and tank to deliver air in contact with the upper surfaceof said film or paper to remove liquid from same, and powered stirrermeans having elongated armspositionable substantially.

horizontal in said trays and wash tank and constructed and operatable toagitate liquids in said trays and tank during the processing of saidfilm strip or paper and to maintain said film strip thereunder immersedin said liquids. p

2. A portable, self-contained darkroom for processing a strip ofphotocomposition film and photographic paper, comprising: a box-likebody providing a light-tight chamber, light-tight inlet meansconstructed in one end portion of said body operable to pass a strip ofsaid film or photographic paper into said body, a slidable vieweroperatably mounted in the top of said body, outlet means constructed inthe other end portion of said body operable to pass therethrough saidfilm or photographic paper in processed condition, and a front, saidfront having an opening therein and slidable flexible sections coveringsaid opening, and a light-tight arm hole in each of said sections; meansmounted in said body operatable to remove heat from said chamber; andmounted inside said body a plurality of trays adapted to holdphotographic processing chemicals, a wash tank for developed and fixedfilm or photographic paper, said trays having means therebetweenconstructed to support a strip of film or photographic paper duringprocessing in elevated position between said trays, means constructedand operatable to receive and pass said strip of film or paper throughsaid trays and tank and out said outlet means in said body, air conduitmeans constructed to discharge air in contact with the upper surface ofsaid film or paper to remove liquid from same at the outlets of saidtrays and tank, and powered stirrer means having arms constructed andoperatable to agitate liquids in said trays and tank during theprocessing of said film or paper and positionable therein substantiallyhorizontal,

3. A portable darkroom for a strip of photocomposition film andphotographic paper, comprising, a housing providing a light-tightchamber, means mounted in one end of said housing to pass said film orpaper into said chamber, viewing means mounted in the top of saidhousing, outlet means mounted in the other end of said housingconstructed to pass therethrough processed film or paper, means slidablymounted in a side of said housing and having arm holes therein, andmounted inside said housing a plurality of trays placed end to end, saidtrays adapted to hold photographic processing chemicals, a wash tank fordeveloped or fixed film or photographic paper, said trays havingdividing means therebetween constructed to support a strip of film orphotographic paper during processing in elevated position between saidtrays, means constructed and operatable to receive and pass said stripof film or paper through said trays and tank and out said outlet meansin said housing, and means constructed and operatable to agitate saidliquids in said trays and tank during the processing of said film orpaper and to maintain said film immersed in processing liquids in saidtrays and tank.

4. A portable darkroom for processing a strip of photocomposition filmand photographic paper, comprising, a housing providing a light-tightchamber, light-tight inlet means constructed in one end of said housingoperable to pass said strip of said film or composition paper thereinto,viewing means mounted in said housing, lighttight outlet meansconstructed in the other end of said housing operable to passtherethrough said film or photographic paper in processed condition, andslidably mounted means in the front of said housing, said lastnamedmeans having light-tight arm holes therein, and mounted inside saidhousing means to hold photographic processing liquids and to receivesaid strip of film or photographic paper doing processing of same, meansconstructed andoperable to pass said strip of film or paper through saidmeans to hold said processing liquids and out of said outlet means insaid other end of said housing, and means constructed and operable toagitate said processing liquids in said means to hold same duringprocessing of said film or paper and to maintain said strip of filmimmersed in said liquids during processing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

